Calliope fixed Damien with a concerned, no-nonsense stare. “How on earth did you end up dealing with ck Spider?"


    "It''s not like we went looking for trouble!" Damien protested. "On our way to find you, we just ran into their crew. They were hunting for your group and, somehow, thought we were with you. I think ck Spider recognized Nigel-he lit up the second he saw him."


    "Honestly, this whole mess had nothing to do with us at first. We could have walked away.” Damien hesitated, guilt flickering across his face. "But I promised Nigel I''d help. He gave me a ride over here-felt like I owed it to him.”


    He nced at Calliope, searching her eyes. "Calliope, am I just making things worse for you?"


    He couldn''t believe it: they''d set out to help Calliope, and now they were the ones in need of rescuing.


    "ck Spider..." Calliope muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose. "That lunatic... If he''s got Nigel, things could get ugly."


    Damien''s face went pale. “Wait, are you saying ck Spider would force himself on Nigel? I mean would he..."


    "No, not that," Calliope cut in, exasperated. "He''s twisted, but not in that way. He''s more..... unpredictable. I don''t get why Nigel thought showing up here was the answer. As if I need someone to protect me..." She trailed off, shaking her head. "This is giving me a headache."


    Still, she added, "Nigel won''t get killed at least not right away. ck Spider''s a maniac, but he won''t just end someone on a whim. He has his twisted rituals, takes his time."


    She sighed. "Nobody else can handle this. ck Spider''s operation is well- connected and dangerous."


    "And you''re saying not even Uriah can deal with him?" Damien asked, worry etched in every word.


    Calliope shook her head. "No one here can. If I want to get Nigel out, I''ll have to go myself." She nced toward another room, voice heavy with frustration. “But I don''t have the time right now. Mavis still needs me."


    Her gaze softened as she looked back at Damien. She wanted to act immediately, but it simply wasn''t possible.


    Damien heaved a sigh. “So what now? Is Nigel going to be okay? If I don''t get him out soon, I''ll be wracked with guilt. I didn''t bring anyone with me do you think Mr. Stewart could lend us a few people?"


    Calliope shook her head. "Wouldn''t help. And Uriah doesn''t have enough men for this any more than you do."


    She gestured toward the hallway.


    "Go wash up. Once I finish stabilizing things with Mavis, I''lle with you well deal with ck S together." She muttered under her breath, "That maniac... Why''s he causing trouble again?"


    "Acting up?” Damien echoed, clearly at a loss.


    Calliope gave him a dry look. “He''s got issues. Now go clean yourself up."


    Just then, Uriah appeared from one of the rooms, his eyesnding on Damien. "Damien? What happened to you?" he demanded eyebrows knitting together as he looked him. over. "Where are your clothes? You look like a drifter who just begged his way in here.”


    Damien could only stare, at a loss for words.


    “He had a run-in with some thieves,” Calliope exined, almost wry.


    Uriah gave another sharp look. "And what took you so long? I thought you weren''ting. Where''s Mr. Myers?"


    "I haven''t been able to reach him. Something might''ve happened on his end," Damien answered, trying to sound steady. "I came here to look out for Calliope, but turns out she''s more than capable of taking care of herself. I ended up being the one in trouble."


    Uriah just sighed and shook his head. "Go take a shower. I''ll get someone to bring you some clean clothes."


    Damien nodded gratefully. As an afterthought, he turned to Calliope. “By the way— how''s Ms. Shepherd doing?"


    "She''s had surgery," Calliope replied quietly. "Her situation isn''t great, but not hopeless either."


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